Chapter 34

Cecilia The dinner party ended. Sebastian emerged looking perfectly sober—piercing eyes clear, stride steady. But when he handed us the room card and told us to settle the bill, Beta Sawyer and I exchanged glances. Our Alpha was definitely drunk. Amara seemed more composed tonight than yesterday. She scurried to Sebastian's side on quick, dainty steps, tugging at his arm with familiar ease that made my wolf bristle inside me. "Want to come to my place?" she purred. "I have that whiskey you like." "No." Sebastian's rejection was immediate, clipped—the single syllable leaving no room for negotiation. That was pure Alpha speech—short, direct, absolute. We continued down the corridor, the tension still humming in the air. Then it happened. Sebastian's boot caught on a raised edge of the carpet. His balance shifted. Before Beta Sawyer or I could react, Amara stepped forward, already positioned like she'd been waiting for this exact moment. Arms slightly outstretched, her expression carefull